Setting Up a Clothesline

By Murray Anderson

We all need to have clean clothes and there's no doubt modern washing machines and clothes dryers are a convenient way to have them, but at what cost? Just think about it, a 5000 Watt dryer running for 10 hours a month, - that's 600 Kilowatts a year and many families use their dryers more than 10 hours a month. Now no one wants to go back to the old ways of doing laundry like boiling clothes in a cauldron or beating them on rocks down by the river, but the idea of an old-fashioned clothesline is well worth considering. A clothes line will save you money, help preserve the environment and as added bonus, give you dry clothes that actually smell fresh as all outdoors.

Installing a clothesline isn’t difficult; in fact it's a good weekend project. Here's all you'll need to start saving yourself some money and enjoying those naturally air freshened clothes.

Shovel or fence post hole digger
Cement
Poles (wood or metal) or an umbrella clothes line
Clothes line
Level

Determine What Kind of Clothesline You Want

Your choice of clothes line will probably depend on how much space you have in your yard as well as your opinion of the "beauty" of a clothesline. The old cross bar "T shape" made of metal or wood has been a standard for years, mainly because it works well. You might also want to consider installing an umbrella type clothesline that folds up when it's not in use. A major benefit of an umbrella clothesline is you can remove it from your yard when it's not in use, so you don’t have to look at it every day.

Decide Where to Put It

It's best to locate your clothesline away from trees and overhanging wires if possible so you can avoid tree sap and bird droppings. Also try to locate it away from walking or gardening areas and where kids or pets run around.

Installing Your Clothes Line

No mater what type of clothes line you install, you're going to have to dig a hole. But, before you pick up your shovel, have your local utilities (phone, cable, power, water and gas company) come out and mark the location of their facilities.

A “T post" clothes line generally require two holes (unless you’re going to attach one end to the house or a tree) while an umbrella design only needs one. If you live in an area where the ground freezes in winter dig down below the frost line, three feet should be enough even in the coldest climates. It’s also a good idea to try to make the bottom of the hole slightly wider than the top – this helps prevent any movement of the base when frost leaves the ground.

Since clotheslines need to support a lot of weight so you’ll need to set your posts in cement. The easiest way is to use fence post cement that you just pour into the hole and add water. Fill the hole about 1/3 with cement, add water, stand your post in the hole then fill the rest of the hole with cement. Use a level to ensure your post is straight, stake it in place and let the cement dry for a day.

If you want your umbrella dryer to be removable, you need a piece of plastic pipe slightly wider than the dryer's base pole. Cover one end of the tube and then stand it in the cement filled hole making sure the plastic tube sticks well up out of the ground so you can straighten it. Once the cement has set up, you can cut the tube off at ground level.

The next day, after the cement has set up, install your clothes line pulleys and the clothesline itself (all readily available at home and department stores). After running your lines don't forget to install a clothes line tightener (a metal bracket that fits between the lines and keeps them taut) so clothes won't drag on the ground).

A couple of quick hints

While it's best to use pressure treated wood for the poles and cross pieces, cedar or redwood also resist the elements and give a more natural appearance.
If your soil is dry it will literally suck water out of the concrete. Make sure that doesn’t happen by spraying the hole with water before putting in any concrete.
Try to position the lines so they’re two or three inches above the head of the person who uses it most. At that height they won't have to be continually stretching way up above their head.